Nancy Marie (Sweeton) Mutzbauer was born on May 19, 1951, in Dayton, Ohio. She was the daughter of Ralph P. Sweeton and Mary Ruth (Young) Sweeton. Her family moved to idyllic Rock Port, Missouri in 1952. There, she enjoyed stopping by friends’ houses when there was a pile of bicycles in the front yard, playing basketball (half-court back then), being a member of the Honor Society and Pep Club, being named Homecoming Queen, and riding horses on her family’s farm.
While attending the University of Missouri, she was introduced to Barry W. Mutzbauer after the Mizzou Vs. Notre Dame football game in 1970. They wed June 25, 1971, in Rock Port, Missouri and remained together as one until her last breath on July 9, 2026. More than fifty-five years since they started hearing “they will never last.” Barry was in the Army on his way to Vietnam, so it was another year before they settled into Medora, Illinois. In Medora, they had two sons. In August of 1981, they moved to Springfield, IL.
Nancy held a variety of jobs, from dishwasher at the Dairy Sweet in Rock Port, working in the Library at Mizzou, being a pharmacy tech, etc. The role she cherished most was at SIU School of Medicine, from which she retired after 25 years in the Division of Infectious Diseases.
Education was important to her, and she hoped her struggles would inspire her children and grandchildren. She would say “It does not matter if it is academic or technical – do something, find something you are passionate about and go for it!” “Whatever work you choose or job you have – do it well.”
Nancy was a beloved Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Colleague (among other titles). Nancy touched countless lives through her kindness, generosity, wit, and unwavering support. She will be missed by those that knew her and realize that their world is better because she was a part of it.
Preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Mary Sweeton; her younger sister Maralee Dinsdale of Sedalia, MO; and her eldest son Anthony W. Mutzbauer.
Proceeding through life are her husband, Barry; Anthony’s Wife, Wendy Mutzbauer, of Palm Springs, CA; Tony’s daughter Erica Wood (Sean), of St. Louis, MO; Nancy’s son, Brett, his wife, Jill, and their two children Claire and Emmett Mutzbauer of Dawson, IL; her brother Randy, his wife and Nancy’s lifelong friend, Linda Sweeton of Rock Port, MO.
“My family is not large so I wanted to name them” – my niece Randi; and her husband Jed Batson of Sedalia, MO; their son Jackson Schmidt; and daughter Clancy Batson. My nephew Rob, wife Ashley Sweeton of Columbia, MO, kids Logan and Brooklyn; and Ryan and wife McKayla Sweeton of Kansas City, MO. My nieces Lynda and Christina Sweeton of Kansas City, MO. My in-laws Paula and Jerry Peebles, and their sons: John, Steve (husband, Michael), and Kevin Peebles of Alton, IL; and brother-in-law Keith Mutzbauer of Jackson, TN.”
“I hope you remember me with laughter. Although, I know some who will remember me with another word, and to them I say, you must not have been worthy of my good humor!” Her warmth extended beyond her wit. She will undoubtedly be remembered for her culinary skills as well. They were, in many ways, a reflection of her: her meals were hearty, desserts were rich, and her tea was sweet! Always an avid reader, she immersed herself in every story, but especially loved science fiction. She also had an appreciation for flowers and the hummingbirds that visited them – but only outdoors, where they can be free.
“In lieu of flowers I hope that you remember me by being good people – give someone a compliment about something – it will make their day a lot brighter. Stand up for yourself – be kind and firm when it concerns you and your family.”
“To my granddaughters – be fierce and independent! To my grandson be full of confidence and a role model for all men!"
Nancy’s legacy lives on in the love she gave so freely, the laughter she inspired, the wisdom she shared, and the countless lives she made brighter. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Memorial Gathering: 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield.
Memorial Service: 11:30 am, Friday, July 31, 2026, at Staab Funeral Home – Springfield, with Larry Hanson officiating. An inurnment will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Simmons Cancer Institute.
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